Every year, generous donors transform a whole wing of the Houston Area Women's Center into a holiday "shopping" paradise for the children and parents served by the Women's Center.It is a magical experience and brings a little light and joy into lives that have seen too much darkness.Generously donated items make it possible for a child or parent to experience the fun of choosing and sharing that "just right" gift with someone they love. Last year, more than 1,500 parents, teens and children received gifts through the Holiday Store. Check out our wishlistand donate new, unwrapped toys and gifts for survivors and their family members. Gift cards are always welcome, and monetary donations allow us to restock the shelves when we run short of gifts for a specific age group.Click here to make a secure donation online.

L-R: Gretchen LeJeune, Barbara Walker and Rebecca White

Verizon Donates $25,000 to Teen Program

On behalf of the Houston Area Women's Center we would like to thank Verizon Wireless Houston for awarding the Teen Dating Violence and Primary Prevention program with a $25,000 grant! The programs are dedicated to helping future generations identify, and hopefully prevent, the behaviors that create unhealthy relationships. This grant will allow our staff to continue their work with teens preventing teen dating violence. Thank you Verizon!

This event will take place on and in conjunction withGiving Tuesday, a national effort to encourage a spirit of giving during the holiday season. We ask those who attend our event to bring an unwrappedteen or adult giftvalued at $25 or make an equivalent monetary donation to support survivors during the holiday season.

In addition, Etro Lounge will generously donate 15% of bar sales to the Women's Center. All attendees will also receive half off their first drink.Buy tickets here!

Register NOW for the Race Against Violence and you could get a runner's hat!

Join over 2,500 runners, walkers, supporters and survivors Saturday March 2nd for the 25th Annual Race Against Violence!

Events include a competitive 5K Run, walk, kids fun run, and family festival. $500 cash prizes as well as $50 Luke's Locker gift certificates will be awarded to overall winners, female and male, and to overall Masters female and male. Special awards will be presented to the top three females and males in each age category. Kids K participants receive medals.

Mayor Annise Parker joined USA Rugby President Nigel Melville, Houston Sports Authority Executive Director Janis Schmees, and BBVA Stadium General Manager Doug hall to announce an exciting partnership. The International Women's Rugby Seven's World Series is competing in Houston on February 1st & 2nd in 2013! In addition, AEG, the parent company of BBVA Compass Stadium and the Houston Dynamo will donate $1 from each event ticket sold to the the Houston Area Women's Center! During this two-day series, 12 international teams will compete at BBVA Compass Stadium. This event will take place annually in Houston through 2015, leading up to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, with rugby debuting as a new Olympic sport. Two-day passes for the tournament are available online at www.bbvacompassstadium.comand www.axs.comby calling 888-929-7849 or at the BBVA Compass Stadium Ticket Office. Individual tickets will be available at a later date.